Rotary engine



June 9, 1936-. J. L. KEMP'THO RNE 2,043,544:

ROTARYENGINE Filed Oct. '7, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ORNE June 9; 1936- J. L. KEMPTHORNE ROTARY ENGINE Filed Oct. 7, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 qm K INVENTOR J1. KEMP 7110M June 9, 1936. J. L. KEMETHO-RN-E 2,043,544

ROTARY ENGINE Filed Oct. 7, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR J L. AfMPTH/VE June J. L. KEMPTHORNEVV ROTARY ENGINE Filed Oct. 7, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIN VENTO4R J L. KEMP THE/Vi Patented June 9,. 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2.043.544 I ROTARY imam James L. Kempthome, Hontclalr, N. J. Application October '1. 193:, Serial No. ceases 12 Claims. (01. 103-142) abutment at an angle to the driving shaft. Such engines have been foundto have very distinct operating advantages over other .well known forms of engines and compressors and are particularly efllcient when used as pumps for.liquids,'

compressors for gases or when operating as clutch or brake mechanisms.

I have now discovered that if two units are mounted in a -full spherical casing, I can not only double the sire of the unit but I can counterbalance forces thereby eliminating stresses due to compression and can make the unit extremely emcient with the material reduction of friction losses. Making the unit of multiple chambers, also makes possible the operation of the device as an internal combustion engine either of two cycle or four cycle type or I can also operate the device as a compound steam engine, or as a steam pump using one series of chambers for suitable pumping or compressing liquids or gases.

'It is one of the principal objects of my invention to provide a full spherical chamber having a multiple spherical segment dividing the chamber into two parts, in each of which operates a hemispherical segment to alternately draw in,

compress and discharge gases, liquids and the like.

Another object of my invention is to provide an engine oi the positive displacement rotary type in which the rotor member has segmental por-' tions of different radii and the casing in which the segmental portions operate have chambers of similarly different radii, such chambers being adapted for compounding or proportionating-as desired.

A further and more detailed object of my in-- vention is to provide a positive displacement rota'ry engine, with multiple chambers having ignition devices whereby it may be operated as an internal combustion engine, each chamber hav ing suitable ports and timing mechanism for either two cycle or four cycle operation.

' A further object of my invention is to provide improved sealing means forsealing the respective chambers against pressure loss and particularly sealing the central abutment rotated integral with the roto ments,

plates which are- Another object of my inyention is to provide centering means for centering the rotor within the chamber to prevent undue thrust on any wall and to maintain the sealing means at the desired Further objects and advantages of my invention' will appear from the following description of preferred forms of embodiment thereof and in which;

Figure 1 is a substantially central vertical section through a four chamber, positive displace ment rotary engine, with the rotor in elevation, Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the center of the engine of Figure 1 and taken substantialiy on the line 2-2. of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a vertical section substantially like Figure 1, but showing a four chamber rotary engine having different sized chambers and seg- Figure 4 is a vertical section through a modified form of engine adapted for four cycle internal combustion operation,

Figure 5 is a central section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a side view of the segmental rotor of Fi ur Figure 7 is a top plan view of the rotor taken,

One form of my improved engine having four 1 chambers, and one which is substantially full spherical in shape is shown in'Figures 1, 2 and 3.

It includes a; casing l0 mounted on a base ii,-

' and containing a bearing I! in which the operating shaft I3 is journaled. The casing I0 is provided with a hemispherical internal surface form-v ing chamber I 4 and is closed by a cap l5 having a similar hemispherical internal chamber which completes the motor.- The cap i5 may be bolted to the fixed casing I 0 by suitable bolts l6 and both the casing and cap may have'water cooling passages Illa and i5a respectively. a In order to divide the spherical chamberihto two parts'an abutment plate I! is provided, the plane of the plate being at an angle to the axis of the shaft i3, for the purpose to be hereinafterdescribed. The plate is preferably a composite one and may be joined by any desired means. A ball race 22 is provided for the abutment which may be suitably. carried within the confines of the casing and cap so that the set angular position of the abutment with respect to the shaft will not change. The plates I! are sealed by the central se'aling blades 25 and other sealing rings 21 1 held against the plates H by a wavy ring 211: are provided for sealing the side. 7 f

The rotary element It is a double segment of a hemisphere having converging faces l9 and 2D on one segment and ific and 20a on the other segment. These' faces are complementary to the faces of the abutment i1 and are adapted to close with respect thereto. The two segments, are preferably integral and connected by a substantially cylindrical center bearing portion 2i which is mounted within the plates [1. Sealing rings 26 are preferably used to seal the segment with respect to the casing and to the cover.

The shaft I3 is provided with a square .or other l5'polygonal shape projection into the cylindrical center 2| of the rotary element i8 which has a suitable longitudinal slot so that the segments of the rotary element i8 and the plates i! will rotate integrally with the shaft. A second bearing 23 is provided for the opposite end of the driving shaft i3, and a thrust bearing 24 may be provided for adjustment in cooperation with the shoulder i311. on the shaft. A spring 32 cooperates with a similar shoulder 31) to force the shaft against 25 the centering nut 33. The segment may thereby be directly centered in the chamber. Oil passages may be provided if and where necessary as through the center of the shaft.

Intake ports 28 are provided in the sides of the 4 casing and cover and the exhaust is out throughthe conduits 29 which are controlled by suitable feather valves 30 to which connections are made through headers 3i.

In operation the shaft causes the rotation of the segments or rotor I8 together with central plates i! in their particular holding member.

As the rotor I8 is at an angle to the shaft l3 and as the, rotor must follow the course of the spherical chamber in the casing, the rotor rotates and oscillates. The converging faces [9 and 20 change with respect to the abutment, the converging faces l9 and 590: of the opposite segments drawing closer to the plates l1 while the opposite faces 20 and 20a. gradually move away from the plates. In half a revolution, the converging faces i9 and i911. assume the position previously occupied by the converging faces 20 and 20m, thus causing an expansion by the movementof the plates 20 and 20a away from the plates and a compression due to the closing of the chambers left by-the plate and faces l9 and I90 as shown in Figure 1. A slot Na in the rotor i8,

more clearly shown in Figure 2 permits this oscillation as previously described. Z r

With such an engine, it is possible to double the capacity of the single-segment type and at the' same time, balance the thrusts so that there is a much lower friction loss. The engine occupies relatively little more space and is equally as easy to construct and assemble. The water cooling is easily accomplished and the size of the chambers may be varied according to specific needs.

The engine of Figure 3 is slightly modified from the form shown in Figures 1 and 2. -It is primarily 35 adapted for compression in two stages byvarying the size of the segments and is also adapted to the pumping of fluids by steam or similar fluids under pressure by similarly changing the size of the segments. This structure includes the casing 40 having the hemispherical chamber =35 which is completed by the hemispherical chanber in the cap ll suitably bolted at 42 to the ca ing 40. It is to be understood that the casing II is mountedon a suitable base or suppo 43 '76 as desired and is provided with a Suitable therefore the high pressure side.

44 which extends through the spherical chamber 45 asshown by the dotted lines. The shaft has a polygonal shaped driving connection with the rotor 46 as previously described.

The rotor 46 comprises a plurality of spherical 5 segments having converging faces but preferably integrally formed to make a complete unit. One of the segments 35a is preferably smaller than the other segment 46b and the radius of the spherical chamber within the cap 4| is also less 10 than the radius of the casing 45. The segments 68a and 56b are itegrally joined at 41' bya substantially cylindrical hearing which extends throughout the segments and has rounded ends to cooperate with the chamber. A sealing ring 15 559 seals each end of the segment.

A plurality of plates 48 serve as abutments for the converging faces of the'rotor 455 and divide the hemispherical chamber into the respective parts. These plates rotate with the rotor as a 20 unit, and the ball race 58 is provided to reduce the friction during rotation. For convenience the left hand chamber is shown to be of the larger diameter and is thus the low pressure side, the right hand side'is of the small diameter and is 25 In the low. pressure side the ports are shown at 5B and 50 and on the high pressure side the ports are indicated at 52 and 53. It will be obvious that inlet and outlet designations will vary depending on 3d whether the unit is run as a pump, motor or compressor. I

The operation of this unit as a compressor driven by the flywheel 54 is similar to that of the first form shown in Figures 1 and 2. 35

The converging faces of the respective segments change their relative position in that the converging faces which are away from the plate 18 alternately close against the plate and the converging faces that are in substantial contact as 40 shown in Figure 3 alternately move away to the opposite position. Therefore, while diametrically opposite faces of the segments are compressing the gases against the plate and discharging them out of the outlet, the other faces of the segment 45 are under a partial vacuum or reduced pressure and drawing in a fresh charge. The cut away portions 55 allow free movement of the gases into ports 5|. On the high pressure side the suction and compression is similar to that on the low pressure side and if the fluids are conveyed into the inlet of the high pressure chamber from the discharge of the low pressure side, the same rotor will work simultaneously on the higher pressure gases as well as the lower pressure gases, 5 but due to. the reduced radius of the high pressure side the volume will be smaller and the work done will be approximately the same in both chambers. The displacement of the first stage may be varied with the displacement of the second stage for any desired conditions.

If it is desired that the unit be used as a steam engine the steam can be introduced into the high,

pressure side and thence into the low pressure,

high volume side which will cause the rotation 65,

segments may be effectively sealed by a plurality amass ,bytheplates ll.

A modified form of construction of the four,

'chamberrotaryengineisshowninmures4to9 inclusive, in which theengine has been providedwith valves and ignition means for operation as an internal combustion engine of the four cycletype. More particularly shown in Figure! the casing is indicated at II and I, theitwo. parts being suitably bolted together and preferably at an angle to the shaft 82 on which the rotor 88 is mounted. In the plane of the joint of the twoparts of the casing II and Ii are a pair of abutment plates 4 whichoperate in ,a suitable ball race 8', the plates 64 being in contact with the cylindrical shaped center of the rotor 83. The shape of the rotor 63 is shown in Figures.

6, 7 and 8 in greater detail, the end portions "a a and 83b of the rotor being segments of a hemisphere and provided with suitable slots 0' in which, .the shaft 62 oscillates. Tihe .slot is wedge-shaped as shown in Figure 8, being flat at the top and bottom. This is necessary'forginasmuch as the rotor. 63 rotates within the chamber 0 in the casing, it is forced to rbtate atthe angle at which theabutment plates 64 are set. a 7

Suitable ringsi'l are used to seal the outer portion of the rotor to the casing, and sealing platesv it seal the central part of the rotor 83 to the plates. Still other rings 9 backed up by a wavy ring I0 or other means seal the chamber it with respect to the plates 64. This or some other form of seal is desirable to maintain pressure tight condition during the rotation and oscillation of the rotor 63. As in the :pre'vious forms of construction the surfaces of the segmental ends a and 63b come into contact with the plates on opposite ends causing alternately a suction and a compression similar to the operation of the typical reciprocating engine.

Inorder to adapt this type of rotary, positive displacement engine to operation as an internal combustion engine I have provided a series of valves for example, of the poppet type indicated at II and 12; the valves .II and 12 being oppositely disposed for the different chambers in the casing and being operated by a similar cam mechanisni 13 driven in a desired manner from the shaft 62 through the intermediary of gears'll.

As a construfctional detail, I have chosen, to mount the valves in cages 15 althoughit is obviousthat such cages are not an essential part of the engine. e v

The connection of the valves to suitable exhaust manifolds and to suitable intake manifolds has not been shown as it is believed. to be clearly known in the art. Similarly the numerous-water ports '|8 are to be understood to be in 'suitable communication with each other so that the device may be properly water cooled. Ignition devices 16 are provided in opposite chambers and scavenging ports 'I'I which are normally closed by the rotor 53 are provided. The rotor is cut away at 63d to cooperate with the scavenging ports, and is also 'cut away-at 63c to cooperate with the ignition chamber for fective timing and complete combustion.

The rotor 63 will initially draw in a charge of combustible mixture which will, during the continued rotation of the rotor, be compressed until the position of firing is attained at which time a suitable distributor (not shown) will operate the particularignition device and the burning of the gases will then in turn cause a further rotation of the rotor. At a suitable point the segment will come into position adjacent the scavenging port whichwill facilitate the discharge of the exhaust gases. operation of the internal combustion en ine is .well known and the construction shown type engine as disclosed herein is that there are no unbalanced forces and no reciprocating parts.

The engine is extremely simple in construction and will operate with the maximum'fiemciency. It may be very effectively sealed and it is adapted torun-withthe minimum of friction due to the ball bearings'in the race". a It will' thus be seen that I have developed a four chamber full'spheric'al type engine adapted for operation as a pump, engine or compressor, and one which is highly emcient and of extremely reduced size. The valves and porting can be adiusted and timedto suit any desired condition and the balancing of thrust on each side of the central plates makes the operation smooth and uniform.

While I have shown preferred forms of embodiment of my device, I am aware that modifications may be made thereto and I therefore desire a broad interpretation of my invention within the scope and spirit of the disclosure herein and of the claims appended hereinafter.

I claim:

1. A rotary engine of the positive displacement type which includes a spherical casing, a rotor .mounted in said casing and an abutment-having opposite sides, said casing having ports therein, means to rotate said rotor, said rotor having two pairs of mutually converging faces, each of said pairs of faces cooperatingwith the respective sides of said abutment, means to oscillate said rotor as it rotates, the plane of said abutment being at a'constant angle with respect to the axis of rotation of said rotor whereby alternate faces of each pair of faces of said rotor closely approach said abutment during rotation.

2. A rotary engine of the positive displacement type which includes a spherical casing, a rotor mounted in said casing and an abutment havingopposite sides,. said casing having ports'therein, means to rotate said rotor, said rotor having two pairs of mutually converging faces, each of said pairs of faces'cooperating with the respective sides of said abutment, and forming a plurality of chambers, means to oscillate said rotor as it rotates, the plane of said abutment being at a con-- stant angle'with respect to the axis of rotation of said rotor whereby diametrically opposite faces of each pair of faces of said rotor alternately move nearly into and away from contact with said abutment during rotation to draw in, compress and exhaust fluids.

3. A rotary engine ofthe class described comprising a substantially spherical casing,'a rotatable member in said casing, said rotatable member including a plurality of separate spherical' sectorportions having the part spherical surfaces thereof cooperating with said basing, means to rotate said rotatable member, and a transverse abutment dividing the easing into separate sections each of said sections having a sector portion of the rotatable member, said abutment being rotatable in a fixed plane at an-angle with respect to the driving means, the side faces of the sector portions of said rotor being flat and alternately forming and closing chambers with respect to the abutment for the intake and exhaust of fluids, and separate fluid control meansextending to the respective sections of said casing whereby said engine may operate on separate substances.

4.'Arotary engine of the class described comprising a. substantially spherical casing, a retatable member in said casing, said rotatable member including a plurality of separate spherical sector portions having the part spherical surfaces thereof cooperating with said casing, means to rotate said rotatable member, said rotatable member being slotted to receive the rotating means, and a transverse abutment dividing the easing into separate sections each of said sections having a sector portion of the rotatable member, said abutment being rotatable in a fixed plane at an angle with respect to the driving means, the side faces of the sector portions of said rotor alternately forming and-closing chambers with respect to the abutment for the intake and exhaust of fluids and separate fluid control means extending to the respective sections of said casing, whereby said engine may operate on er V substances and means to admit a power actuating substance into one section to pump a fluid in the opposite section.

5. A proportionating mechanism of the class described comprising a substantially spherical casing, a rotatable member in said casing, said rotatable member including a plurality of separate spherical sector portions having the part spherical surfaces thereof cooperating with said casing, means to rotate said rotatable member, said rotatable member being slotted to receive the rotating means, and a transverse abutment dividing the easing into separate sections each of said sections having a .sector portion of the rotatable member, said abutment being rotatable in a fixed plane at an angle with respect to the driving means, the abutment and spherical casing forcing said rotor to oscillate as it rotates, the side faces of the sector portions of said rotor alternately forming and closing chambers with respect tothe abutment for the intake and exhaust of fluids, and separate fluid control means extending-to the respective sections of said casing. whereby said mechanism may operate on separate substances.

6. An engine of the class described comprising a spherical walled casing, an abutment plate in the casing dividing the casing into two substantially hemispherical sections, a rotor projecting through said abutment plate and having end ele ments of substantially spherical sector shape on either side of the plate, and in the respective sections, means to rotatesaid rotor, said rotor driving said abutment plate, means to maintain the abutment plate at a constant flxed angle to said rotat ing means, said rotor oscillating in following the casing and abutment plate, the segmental facesof the end elements alternately withdrawing from and aporoaching'the abutment plate for the instake and exhaust-of fluids in the respective sec- Til tions of the casing and means to control the fluid flow into the respective sections. F

I. --A, compound engine f the class described comprising a spherical walled casing, an abutment plate in the casing dividing the easing into two substantially hemispherical sections, a rotor proiecting through said abutment plate and havin: end elements of mbstantially spherical sector aoeaeea shape on either side of the plate and in the respective sections, means to rotate said rotor, said rotor driving said abutment plate, means to maintain the abutment plate at a constant fixed angle to said rotating means, said rotor oscillating in is following the casing and abutment plate, the segmental faces of the end elements alternately withdrawing from and approaching the abutment plate for the intake and exhaust of fluids in the respective sections of the casing and means to control the fluid flow into the respective sections, said casing sections being of difierent radii and means to transfer fluids from one section to the other section for compound operation.

8. A fluid operated pump of the class described ing end elements of substantially spherical sector shape on either side of the plate and in the respective sections, means to rotate said rotor, said rotor driving said abutment plate, means to maintain the abutment plate at a constant fixed angle-to said rotating means, said rotor oscillating in following the casing and abutment plate, the segmental faces of the and elements alternately withdrawing from and approaching the abutment plate for the intake and exhaust of fluids in the respective sections of the casing and means to control the fluid flow into the respective sections, said casing sections being of difierent radii, means to introduce a power actuating fluid into one section as a prime mover and means to introduce a pumpable fluid in the other section whereby said power actuating fluid will pump the pumpable fluid.

9. A proportionating device of the class described comprising a spherical walled casing, an

into two substantially hemispherical sections, a rotor projecting through said abutment plate and having end elements of substantially spherical sector shape on either side of the plate and in abutment plate in the casing dividing the casing 40 the respective sections, means to rotate said rotor, said rotor driving said abutment plate, means to maintain the abutment plate at a com stant fixed angle to said rotating means, said rotor oscillating in following the casing and abutment plate, the segmental faces of the end elements alternately withdrawing from and appreaching the abutment plate for the intake and exhaust of fluids in the respective sections of the casing and means to control the fluid flow into the respective sections, said casing sections being of different radii.

10. In a rotary engine of the positive displacement type a substantially spherical casing, a shaft passing through said cas ng, a rotor positively rotated by and freely oscillating on said shaft, an abutment having opposite side faces at a fixed angle to said shaft and mounted for rotation with said rotor, said rotor having spherical sector shape end pieces movable in the spherical casing the double converging faces of said end pieces alternately forming and closing chambers with the respective faces of the abutment, and valve means to control the intake and exhaust to said chambers.

7 11. An air compressor of the class described comprising a substantially spherical casing, a transverse abutment plate in said casing-and dividing the easing into two separate gas-tight sections, airotary element'including two "doublefllilo respective sections of the lobed spherical sectors and a central substantially cylindrical portion, said abutment cooperating with and tightly fitting the central cylindrical section of the rotor, means to maintain the 5 abutment plate at a fixed angle to the axis 01' 1 from said compressor.

12. A compound liquid pump of the class described including a spherical casing and a transverse abutment plate dividing said easing into two sections, means to seal said abutment plate,

whereby each section is liquid tight, a one piece double lobed rotor, the lobes 01 which are sectors of a sphere of the same radius as the casing, said rotor projecting through the abutment plate and the respective lobes substantially filling the respective sections of the casing, said rotor 1 a polygonal shaped opening and a double i e shaped slot through which slot rotor drive miaans project whereby said rotor may oscillate with respect to said abutment plate as it rotates, lihuid connections with the respective sections, and said drive means rotating said rotor to alternately .draw in and discharge liquid in the chamber formed by the respective faces of the rotor and the abutment plate, said abutment plate being 15 rotatable at a fixed angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor.

JAMES L. KEMPTHORNE. 

